As the World Cup comes down to the business end, let’s take a moment to reflect. This tournament has been hailed as the best in recent memory, if not the best ever, and a lot of that praise is down to the sheer number of goals being banged in. There’s been class goal-scorers on show in Brazil – the likes of Messi, Muller, Neymar, James Rodriguez and Robben have been stoking the excitement to fever pitch, but the real heroes (and there have been plenty) of this World Cup though have to be the men standing under the bar. From Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas to Chile’s Claudio Bravo, there’s been an ongoing exhibition of superhuman acts of defiance from an array of goalkeepers.
It started with a superb performance by Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa against hosts Brazil. Four saves of immeasurable quality were made that day, his reflex save from a point blank Neymar header likened to Gordon Banks’ Save of the Century against Pele. Ochoa went on to become an internet sensation, with some on the Twitter-sphere even calling for him to become the patron saint of Mexico (San Memo, has a nice ring to it). Ochoa’s heroics continued against Croatia and the Netherlands, pulling off great save after great save, but ultimately was beaten by Wesley Sneijder’s unstoppable volley.
While Iker Casillas failed horribly, Group B offered up Claudio Bravo. The Chilean captain was immaculate in goal, holding off the Brazilians till the penalties, and even then keeping Chile in the game. Chile probably would have gone through but for some terrible penalty taking. Regardless, Bravo’s heroics have earned him a move to Barcelona next season. Another La Liga keeper has also staked his claim for the best goalkeeper of the tournament, as Levante’s Costa Rican shot-stopper Keylor Navas displayed heroics brave enough to bring tears to your eyes against Greece as the small Central American country held them off with ten men for the majority of the game. Navas made save after save and in this type of form, even Van Persie and co will have a hard time scoring.
Vincent Enyeama in the Nigerian goal showed he’s still got it with his valiant effort against France, and will be heartbroken that it was his mistake that led to Pogba’s winner. Over in north Africa, Rais M’Bohli was steady, making one amazing high-flying save against Phillip Lahm. But right at the other end of the pitch, Neuer reminded everyone why he’s regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world as he played the role of five men by himself, keeping a speedy Algerian attack at bay singlehandedly. Some think he’s arrogant, but when you can run out to the halfway line and tackle an onrushing striker without messing up, you have every right to be.
Thibaut Courtois has done his reputation no harm. He hasn’t been spectacular but his awareness, his catching and how he comes out of his line has made sure the 22-year-old only conceded one goal off open play. But on the other hand, Tim Howard, may have ended his tournament with the best individual display of the World Cup. He made 16 saves, some of them breathtaking, some gravity defying and some unbelievable. He set a new record for the number of saves in a single game, and may just well be named as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Goalkeepers often don’t get the credit they deserve, and all the limelight goes to the strikers. Not anymore.
-With New Age input
